Spatula and blade

ABSTRACT

A spatula having a body with a top working surface and a bottom surface is provided. The spatula body also includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A handle is mounted to the first end of the body and the body has a first mounting member depending from the spatula body proximate the second end of the spatula body. The mounting member has an interior for receiving a mounting portion of the spatula blade and a second open end opposed to the first open end. The spatula body includes an opening in the body for cleaning the mounting member. A blade is provided for the spatula. The blade has a front section having a top surface and a bottom surface. At least a first spring tab extends rearwardly of the front section. The spring tab has a concave surface for one of its top and bottom surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/413,235,filed on Apr. 28, 2006, pending, the entire disclosure of which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for installingand removing a spatula blade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of spatulas have been used in connection with cooking foodon a grill. It is advantageous for such a spatula to have a relativelysharp leading edge. Spatulas having replaceable blades are known.

A need exists for an improved replaceable blade spatula that reliablymounts the spatula blade to the spatula and which can be readily cleanedafter periods of use. A need also exists for an improved replaceablespatula blade that can be readily securely mounted to the spatula, yeteasily removed and replaced.

In addition, a need exists for a removable blade spatula that can meetNSF requirements.

However, a need exists for a convenient and safe apparatus for changinga spatula blade. It would be advantageous for the apparatus to allowefficient removal of a used blade and insertion of a replacement blade.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improvedspatula, replaceable spatula blade, apparatus for replacing a spatulablade and method for replacing a spatula blade are provided.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus forinstallation and removal of a blade to a spatula body is provided. Theapparatus includes a blade support surface for supporting a blade. Arestraining element is positioned adjacent the support surface forengaging the blade to limit movement of the blade during installationand removal of the blade. A restraining member is moveable between afirst position spaced from the support surface, and a second position.In the first position, the restraining member does not restrain theblade. In the second position, the restraining member limits movement ofa blade supported on the support surface, while at the same time therestraining element engages and restrains the blade.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the restrainingelement is a pin that passes through a hole in the blade to restrain theblade along a first plane.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the restrainingmember clamps the blade to the blade support surface to restrain theblade at least along another plane.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatusincludes a locking mechanism for selectively preventing movement of therestraining member from a position restraining the blade, to a firstposition where the blade is not restrained.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatusincludes a collar, and the restraining member is slidable mounted withinthe collar. The collar has a first slot therein for preventing movementof the restraining member from the second position to the firstposition. The restraining member comprises a shaft having a pinoutwardly extending from the shaft. The shaft is reciprocally mountedwithin the collar for axial movement therein. The collar includes asecond slot connected to the first slot. The shaft is axially moveablethrough the collar between the first and second position when the pin isaligned with the second slot, and rotatable within the collar when thepin is aligned with the first slot. The first slot is positioned in aspaced relationship from the blade support surface so that therestraining member clamps a blade to the blade support surface when thepin is rotated within the first slot.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofreplacing a used spatula blade attached to a spatula body by a force fitis provided. The method includes providing a spatula having a spatulabody and a used blade attached to the body. A blade support surface isprovided to support the used blade. The blade support surface has arestraining element for engaging the blade to restrain the used bladeduring the removal of the used blade from the spatula body. The usedblade is positioned on the blade support surface to restrain themovement of the used blade along a first plane by engaging the usedblade with the restraining element. A restraining member is positionedadjacent the used blade to limit movement of the used blade at leastalong a second plane to prevent disengagement of the used blade from therestraining element. A force is applied to the spatula body that is atleast partially directed along the first plane to separate the spatulabody from the used blade, while the used blade is restrained adjacentthe blade support surface. The restraint of the used blade is removed,and then the used blade is removed from the blade support surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method mayfurther include providing a replacement blade that is similar to theused blade and positioning the replacement blade on the blade supportsurface. The replacement blade is restrained from movement along thefirst plane by engagement of the replacement blade by the restrainingelement. The restraining member is positioned adjacent a surface of thereplacement blade to limit movement of the replacement blade at leastalong the second plane to prevent disengagement of the blade from therestraining element. The spatula body is aligned with the replacementblade, and a force is applied to the spatula body. The force is at leastpartially directed along the first plane to move the spatula body towardthe replacement blade while the replacement blade is restrained adjacentthe blade support surface, to thereby mount the replacement blade to thespatula body. Thereafter, the restraint of the replacement blade isremoved. The spatula and attached replacement blade can then be removedfrom the blade support surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method includesclamping the used blade to the blade support surface to restrain theused blade along at least the second plane while applying the force toseparate the used blade and the spatula body. The replacement blade isalso clamped to the blade support surface to restrain the replacementblade along at least the second plane while applying the force to mountthe replacement blade to the spatula body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the restrainingelement is a pin that is inserted into a hole in the blade to restrainthe blade.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method formounting a blade by a force fit to a spatula body is provided. Themethod includes providing a spatula having a body and providing a bladesupport surface for supporting a blade. The blade support surface haspositioned adjacent thereto a restraining element for engaging the bladeto restrain the blade during the attachment of the blade to the spatulabody. The blade is positioned on the blade support surface, and themovement of the blade is restrained along a first plane by engagement ofthe blade by the restraining element. A restraining member is positionedadjacent the blade to restrain movement of the blade at least along asecond plane to prevent disengagement of the blade from the restrainingelement. The spatula body is aligned with the blade. A force is appliedto the spatula body that is at least partially directed along the firstplane to mount the blade to the spatula body. Thereafter the restraintof the blade by the restraining member and by the restraining element isremoved, and the spatula body with the attached blade can be removedfrom the blade support surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a spatula isprovided. The spatula has a body with a top working surface and a bottomsurface. The spatula body also includes a first end and a second endopposite to the first end. A handle is mounted to the first end of thespatula body. The spatula body has a first mounting member dependingfrom the spatula body proximate the second end of the spatula body. Themounting member has an interior for receiving a mounting portion of aspatula blade. The mounting member has an open first end proximate toand facing the second end of the spatula body and a second open endopposed to the first open end.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mounting memberis positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the body. The topworking surface of the body has an opening adjacent the mounting memberfor providing access for cleaning the mounting member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the spatula has asecond mounting member laterally spaced from the first mounting member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mounting memberseach have a respective mounting passageway extending from the front tothe rear of the mounting member. Each passageway extends generallyperpendicular to the front edge of the spatula body. The mountingmembers may be positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the spatulabody and the top working surface of the body has an opening adjacenteach mounting member for providing cleaning access to the mountingmembers.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mounting membersare tab receiving members, and each mounting member includes a bottomand first and second sidewalls. The bottom of each mounting member has aflat top surface with an opening in the top surface of the bottom of themounting member. The sidewalls of the mounting member extend along aline that is generally perpendicular to the second end of the body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the spatula includesa blade mounted at the second end of the body. The blade includes afront end and a rear end with the rear end of the blade being mounted inthe mounting member to secure the blade to the body. The spatula maystill further include a blade that has a replacement leading end forinsertion through the mounting member. The blade may include a frontsection and an intermediate section, and a step joining the frontsection to the intermediate section. The blade includes at least one tabextending from the intermediate section of the blade. The tab has a rearend that provides the replacement leading end. The replacement leadingend is slidably mounted into the mounting member. The blade may befurther characterized by the tab extending rearward of the open rear endof the mounting member with the tab contacting the bottom surface of thespatula body rearward of the rear opening.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tab has anupwardly concave upper surface, the concave upper surface of the tabcontacting the bottom of the surface of the body rearward of themounting member. The tab acts as a spring to bias the tab against themounting member. The tab may have a lug that nests within a recess inthe mounting member.

In one embodiment the one mounting member has an open second end that islarger than the open second end of the other mounting member so that theblade can only be mounted on the spatula body with the top surface ofthe blade upward relative to the body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a blade for aspatula is provided. The blade has a front section with a top surfaceand a bottom surface. The front section includes a sharp front edge fordirecting an item onto the top surface of the front section. At least afirst spring tab extends rearwardly of the front section. The spring tabhas a top surface, a bottom surface and a leading replacement end. Thetab has a concave surface for one of the bottom and top surfaces of thespring tab with the concave surface forming a spring tab.

In another aspect of the invention the spring tab includes a lug. Thelug is positioned on the top or bottom surface of the lug opposite theconcave surface. The spring tab has a bend in the tab to form theconcave surface. The bend is positioned adjacent the lug. The blade mayhave a second spring tab.

In another aspect of the invention, the second spring tab has a secondleading replacement end that is larger than the replacement leading endof the first tab.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the blade has anintermediate section and a stepped section. The stepped section connectsthe intermediate section with the front section. The intermediatesection has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the top surface ofthe intermediate section spaced downward of the top surface of the frontsection. The top surface of the front section lies along a first planeand the intermediate section lies along a second plane that is generallyparallel to the first plane. The tab may extend rearwardly from theintermediate section, and further include a generally rectangular shapedtab with a replacement leading end that includes a chamfer on the rearof the blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spatula of the invention prior tomounting a blade thereto;

FIG. 2 is a partial top perspective view of the spatula illustrating themounting of a blade to the spatula body;

FIG. 3 is a partial bottom perspective view of the spatula illustratingthe mounting of a blade to the spatula body;

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom perspective view of the spatula illustratinga blade mounted to the spatula body;

FIG. 5 is a partial top perspective view of the spatula illustrating ablade mounted on the spatula body;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective bottom view showing the rear opening ofthe mounting members on the bottom of the spatula body;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the blade taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the blade taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the blade exaggerating the upward bow in a tabof the blade;

FIG. 9 a is a detail view of the upward bow in the tab of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the blade exaggerating the upward bowin both of the tabs of the blade;

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the blade installation and removalapparatus of the invention illustrating the shaft pin aligned in thevertical slot of the collar;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a blade secured to the bladeinstallation and removal apparatus, and a spatula body being advancedtoward the blade for mounting thereto;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a blade secured to the blade installation andremoval apparatus and a spatula body being advanced toward the blade formounting thereto, showing the shaft pin aligned and locked in thehorizontal shaft of the collar to clamp the blade to the apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a blade secured to the spatula body andthe blade secured to the blade installation and removal apparatus as itappears just after mounting a blade or just prior to initiating removalof a blade;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a blade secured to the bladeinstallation and removal apparatus and a spatula body having beenwithdrawn from attachment to the blade; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of the blade installation and removal apparatuswith the shaft in an upward position with the shaft pin nested in agroove in the top surface of the collar to prevent unintended rotationof the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures generally, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 5, aspatula 10 in accordance with the invention is illustrated. Spatula 10has a body 12 that includes a generally planar working portion 14 with atop working surface 18 and an opposite bottom surface 20. Body 12 alsohas a transition section 22 leading to an offset shank 24. A handle 28,formed of a heat insulating material, is attached to shank 24 by anysuitable means, such as by rivets 30. A blade 34, having a sharp frontend 38, is removably mounted to the front edge 32 of body 12.

Spatula 10 is typically used by gripping handle 28 and sliding bottomsurface 20 of spatula 10 along a cooking surface to move, flip ortransport a food item cooking on the cooking surface. Blade 34 is slidunder the cooking food item, such as a hamburger patty, to position thehamburger patty on top working surface 18. Spatula 10 may then be turnedby the user to cause the patty to be flipped over to its opposite sidefor further cooking. Once the cooking of the patty is complete, thespatula 10 once again is slid under the patty to position the patty ontoworking surface 18 of spatula 10. The patty can then be transported to adesired location, such as placement on a hamburger bun or serving plate.Spatula 10 also is typically used to clean a cooking surface, such as agrill, by scraping spatula 10 along the grill surface to remove residualfood particles.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 and 8-10, it can be seen that blade 34 has afront section 40, and a stepped section 42 that joins an intermediatesection 44 of blade 34 to front section 40. Extending from the rear edge48 of intermediate section 44 are mounting portions, or tabs 50 a, 50 b,for use in mounting blade 34 to spatula body 12. Tabs 50 a, 50 b eachhave an upper surface 52 a, 52 b and a lower surface 54 a, 54 b. Lugs 56a, 56 b project from each lower surface 54 a, 54 b, respectively. Eachof tabs 50 a, 50 b terminates in a rear, or replacement leading end 60a, 60 b. Tabs 50 a, 50 b further include side edges 68 a, 68 b,respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 9 a, tabs 50 a, 50 b have slightly concavetop surfaces 62 a, 62 b, forming bows 64 a, 64 b, respectively, as bestseen in FIGS. 9-10 where slight bows 64 a, 64 b are exaggerated forillustrative purposes. As described later in greater detail, bows 64 a,64 b are provided to more positively secure blade 34 to spatula body 12.Each bow 64 a, 64 b lies along a line 58 a, 58 b that may extend fromreplacement leading end 60 a, 60 b, along tab 50 a, 50 b, and intointermediate section 44. Concave surfaces 62 a, 62 b may be formed froma bend 66 a, 66 b, respectively. Preferably, bends 66 a, 66 b are formedproximate or adjacent to lugs 56 a, 56 b, respectively. Tab 50 a and tab50 b may optionally be formed with differing widths W1, W2,respectively, or other differing dimensions. This prevents blade 34 frombeing mounted in an upside down position relative to spatula body 12, asdescribed more fully below.

Bottom surface 20 of body 12 has a pair of mounting members 70 a, 70 bfor cooperation with tabs 50 a, 50 b, respectively, to removably secureblade 34 to spatula body 12. Mounting members 70 a, 70 b may be of anysuitable shape allowing cooperation with the shape of tabs 50 a, 50 b ofblade 34. In the preferred embodiment, mounting members 70 a, 70 b havea “U” shaped profile to cooperate with the rectangular shaped profile ofreplacement leading ends 60 a, 60 b of tabs 50 a, 50 b, respectively. Ofcourse, other cooperating shapes may be chosen for mounting members 70a, 70 b and tabs 50 a, 50 b, respectively. Preferably, mounting members70 a, 70 b are positioned to extend generally perpendicularly to frontedge 32 of spatula body 12. Likewise, tabs 50 a, 50 b are positioned toextend generally perpendicularly to rear edge 48 of blade 34.

Each mounting member 70 a, 70 b may be formed by a stamping process.Prior to stamping, front slots 72 a, 72 b and rear slots 74 a, 74 b areformed to extend through body 12. The material of the sections 78 a, 78b located between front slots 72 a, 72 b and rear slots 74 a, 74 b,respectively, is then tamped to depress sections 78 a, 78 b. Thestamping action causes the material of sections 78 a, 78 b to beprojected downward relative to bottom surface 20, and to thereby formmounting members 70 a, 70 b, respectively. Lugs 56 a, 56 b may also beformed by stamping, and if formed by stamping, will incidentally producedepressions 57 a, 57 b, respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, each mounting member 70 a, 70 b has afront opening 80 a, 80 b and a rear opening 82 a, 82 b providing a tabreceiving passageway 84 a, 84 b through each mounting member 70 a, 70 b,respectively. Each of mounting members 70 a, 70 b also has a bottom 88a, 88 b and sidewalls 90 a, 90 b for engaging tabs 50 a, 50 b,respectively. The top surface 92 a, 92 b of each mounting member bottom88 a, 88 b has a recess, or hole 94 a, 94 b for cooperating with lugs 56a, 56 b when tabs 50 a, 50 b are mounted within mounting members 70 a,70 b, respectively.

Thus, blade 34 can be mounted to spatula 10 by inserting the replacementleading ends 60 a, 60 b into front openings 80 a, 80 b of mountingmembers 70 a, 70 b and out rear openings 82 a, 82 b, respectively.During insertion, the lower surfaces 54 a, 54 b of tabs 50 a, 50 b slideover top surfaces 92 a, 92 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b,respectively. As blade 34 is advanced, lugs 56 a, 56 b snap into placewithin recesses 94 a, 94 b to secure tabs 50 a, 50 b within theinteriors 98 a, 98 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b. FIG. 7 bestillustrates lugs 56 a, 56 b positioned within openings 94 a, 94 b,respectively.

The insertion of blade 34 terminates as stepped section 42 of blade 34abuts front edge 32 of spatula body 12, while at the same time rear edge48 of intermediate section 44, contacts the front edges 100 a, 100 b ofmounting members 70 a, 70 b, respectively. Thus, once fully inserted,tabs 50 a, 50 b extend from the front edge 100 a, 100 b to past the rearedge 102 a, 102 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b, respectively.

Due to the offset of stepped section 42, the top surface 104 of frontsection 40 of blade 34 is generally coplanar with the top workingsurface 18. Thus, the top surface 104 of blade 34 and top workingsurface 18 of body 12 provide a generally continuous flat surface foruse in picking up a food item from a cooking surface. The flat surfaceis useful in keeping a fragile food item, such as a partially cookedhamburger, intact. In this regard, it is also noted that tabs 50 a, 50 bat least partially fill the stamped down depressions 108 a, 108 b thatinterrupt the otherwise continuous top working surface 18.

Spatula 10 is particularly suitable for high volume commercial use,where blades 34 need to be replaced relatively often due to wear. Alsoof particular importance, especially for commercial applications, isthat spatula 10 is capable of meeting NSF certification requirements.Specifically, it is noted that once blade 34 has been removed fromspatula body 12, all surfaces of working portion 14 are exposed andaccessible for cleaning. In particular, it is pointed out that topsurfaces 92 a, 92 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b are respectivelyeasily accessed for cleaning through openings 76 a, 76 b in top workingsurface 18 of spatula body 12. Thus, top working surface 18, bottomsurface 20, and all surfaces of mounting members 70 a, 70 b may bereadily cleaned. Spatula body 12 has no pockets or crevices that aredifficult to reach for cleaning, or where food particles might otherwisebe missed during cleaning. Such food particles are highly undesirable,not only due to potential bacterial growth on spatula 10, but becausethe retained food particles may also affect the taste of a food itemwhen spatula 10 is later used for cooking other food items.

As previously briefly noted, spatula 10 may optionally be provided withmeans to ensure that blade 34 is attached with top surface 104 facingupwards and properly orientated with spatula body 12. Such means mayinclude forming tab 50 a with a width W1 that is larger than the widthW2 of tab 50 b. Likewise, the width W3 of front opening 80 a of mountingmember 70 a is formed to be larger than the width W4 of front opening 80b of mounting member 70 b. Thus, when blade 34 is positioned upsidedown, mounting blade 34 to spatula body 12 is not permitted, sincelarger tab 50 a is too large for insertion into the smaller frontopening 80 b. Only when blade 34 is oriented facing upwards relative toan upwardly oriented spatula body 12, are tabs 50 a, 50 b able to beinserted into mounting members 70 a, 70 b, respectively.

Due to the force fit between tabs 50 a, 50 b and mounting members 70 a,70 b, considerable force may be required to mount blade 34 to body 12.When attempting to apply the required force by pushing or pulling onblade 34 with an unprotected hand, injuries from relatively sharp frontedge 38 are possible. Potential injury is also likely in removing blade34 from body 12. To avoid potential injury, a blade installationapparatus 110 is provided for safely and conveniently installing orremoving blade 34 to body 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-16, apparatus 110 has a base 112 that mayinclude an optional blade storage box 114. Pivotably mounted on storagebox 114 is a spatula support platform 118 that is connected to box 114by a hinge 120. A latch 116 may be provided to secure platform 118 in adownward, closed position. When platform 118 is pivoted to an openposition (not shown), access is provided to the interior of bladestorage box 114. Secured to base 112 is an upwardly extending frame 122.Frame 122 includes side supports 124, a top 128 and a blade support 130.Blade support 130 has a pair of pins 132, for cooperation with a pair ofholes 134 in front section 40 of blade 34. When pins 132 engage holes134, blade 34 is restrained from shifting back and forth. Thus, blade 34is held in place to allow the insertion and removal of blade 34 fromspatula body 12.

Blade installation apparatus 110 also includes a shaft, or clampingmember 136, for preventing up and down movement of blade 34 duringinstallation and removal. Positioned on frame top 128 is a lockingcollar 138 having a bore 140 axially extending therethrough. Collar 138also has a vertical slot 148 that leads to a horizontal slot 150. Shaft136 is slidably mounted within bore 140 in collar 138, and is moveableup and down only when pin 144 is aligned with vertical slot 148. FIG. 11shows shaft 136 in the upward position with pin 144 aligned withvertical slot 148. When so aligned, shaft 136 is permitted to falldownwardly to the position of FIG. 13, with the head 152 of shaft 136abutting blade 34 as it is positioned on blade support 130.

Once shaft 136 has been moved to the downward position, shaft 136 may berotated by means of a handle 154 to cause pin 144 to enter horizontalslot 150 in collar 138. In this position, as shown in FIG. 13, shafthead 152 limits upward movement of blade 34 to prevent disengagement ofblade 34 from pins 132. Shaft head 152 prevents disengagement of blade34 from pins 132 as long as shaft head 152 limits upward movement ofblade 34 so that blade 34 does not rise above the top 156 of pins 132.Preferably however, shaft head 152 contacts top surface 104 of blade 34and clamps blade 34 to blade support 130. Cooperation of pin 144 andhorizontal slot 150 prevents upward and downward movement of shaft 136,and maintains shaft head 152 in the clamping position relative to bladesupport 130. Thus, vertical movement of blade 34 is restrained by shafthead 152. Also, since shaft head 152 clamps blade 34 to support 130,horizontal movement of blade 34 is restrained by shaft head 152, inaddition to the horizontal restraint provided by pins 132.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-13, when blade 34 is clamped against the topsurface 158 of blade support 130, tabs 50 a, 50 b are relativelyparallel to generally horizontal platform 118. Thus, by resting spatulabottom surface 20 on platform 118, mounting members 70 a, 70 b can bemore easily aligned with tabs 50 a, 50 b prior to insertion. In thisregard, it is noted that the top surface 158 of blade support 130 isspaced upward from platform 118. Thus, when blade 34 is locked in placeby head 152, tabs 50 a, 50 b are spaced from platform 118 to facilitatethe passing of bottoms 88 a, 88 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b undertabs 50 a, 50 b respectively, during the insertion of blade 34 ontospatula body 12.

With a new blade 34 clamped in position on blade support 130, mountingto spatula body 12 may take place. To do so, handle 28 is gripped andspatula body 12 is positioned to rest upon platform 118. As illustratedin FIG. 12, replacement leading edges 60 a, 60 b of tabs 50 a, 50 b arealigned for insertion through front openings 80 a, 80 b of mountingmembers 70 a, 70 b, respectively. Spatula body 12 is advanced forward toinsert tabs 50 a, 50 b into interiors 98 a, 98 b of mounting members 70a, 70 b respectively. While advancing spatula body 12, adjustments inthe vertical alignment of mounting members 70 a, 70 b relative to tabs50 a, 50 b may be made by pivoting body 12 upwardly or downwardly onplatform 118.

Typically, spatula body 12 is relatively easily advanced untilreplacement leading edges 60 a, 60 b contact the edges 160 a, 160 b ofrear slots 82 a, 82 b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, an optionalchamfer 162 a, 162 b may be provided on each of the top surfaces 52 a,52 b of tabs 50 a, 50 b adjacent replacement leading ends 60 a, 60 b,respectively. Chamfers 162 a, 162 b aid in directing replacement leadingends 60 a, 60 b underneath and past edges 102 a, 102 b of slots 82 a, 82b, respectively. As spatula body 12 continues to advance, upwardly bowedtabs 50 a, 50 b are compressed to create a biasing force that pusheslower surfaces 54 a, 54 b of tabs 50 a, 50 b against top surface 92 a,92 b of mounting members 70 a, 70 b. When front edge 32 of body 12 isfully advanced to abut stepped section 42 of blade 34, lugs 56 a, 56 bare snapped in place within recess openings 94 a, 94 b in mountingmembers 70 a, 70 b, as previously described.

Thus, tabs 50 a, 50 b are securely held within mounting members 70 a, 70b, respectively, by friction, by lugs 56 a, 56 b and by the biasingforce provided by concave surfaces 62 a, 62 b. The frictional forcesarise from contact between the surfaces of body 12 and blade 34. Thesesurfaces include blade 34 contacting bottom surface 20 of spatula body12 at locations both forward and rearward of mounting members 70 a, 70b. Bottom surfaces 54 a, 54 b and side edges 68 a, 68 b of tabs 50 a, 50b also contact top surfaces 92 a, 92 b and sidewalls 90 a, 90 b ofmounting members 70 a, 70 b, respectively. It also is noted that thespring like action created by bows 64 a, 64 b in tabs 50 a, 50 b helpsmaintain lugs 56 a, 56 b locked in place within recesses 94 a, 94 b,respectively.

FIG. 14 shows body 12 once it has been fully advanced to be securelymounted to blade 34. Thereafter, shaft 136 is moved from the lockedposition of FIG. 13 to the unlocked position of FIG. 11. To do so,handle 154 is turned to align pin 144 with vertical slot 148. Shaft 136is then raised until pin 144 clears the top surface 168 of collar 138.To maintain shaft 136 in a raised position, shaft 136 may then be turnedto allow pin 144 to rest against collar top surface 168. As shown inFIG. 16, pin 144 may be nested within a groove 170, optionally providedin the top surface of collar 168, to prevent inadvertent realignment ofpin 144 and vertical slot 148. Body 12 and attached blade 34 may then bedisengaged from pins 132, and removed from apparatus 110.

Apparatus 110 may also be used to remove a used blade 34 from spatula10. To do so, blade 34 is positioned with holes 134 of blade 34 placedover pins 132 on blade support 130. Blade 34 is then clamped to bladesupport 130 by downward movement of shaft head 152 from the positionillustrated in FIG. 11 to the clamping position illustrated in FIG. 13.In this position, shaft 136 has been locked in place by rotating pin 144within horizontal slot 150 to a locked position, as previouslydescribed.

FIG. 14 shows the position of a spatula 10 secured in apparatus 110prior to removal of blade 34 from spatula body 12. To separate blade 34and body 12, a rearward force is applied to handle 28. This force pullsspatula body 12 rearward from blade 34 while blade 34 is restrained frommovement on blade support 130 of apparatus 110. As shown in FIG. 15,spatula body 12 is moved rearwardly until completely separated fromblade 34. Thereafter, pin 144 is rotated to realign with vertical slot148. Shaft 136 can then be lifted upward to the position shown in FIG.16, and used blade 34 can be removed from support 130 and discarded.

It can therefore be appreciated that blade installation apparatus 110may be used to both install and remove blade 34 safely. Since the forceto join or separate a blade 34 to body 12 is applied by simultaneouslygripping spatula handle 28 and handle 154, both the operator's left handLH and right hand RH remain spaced from sharp edge 38 of blade 34 tothereby avoid injury. Moreover, shaft 136 may be locked in the downwardposition to prevent unintended disengagement of pins 132 from holes 134during application of the force to mount or remove blade 34. A suddenand unexpected disengagement of blade 34 from pins 132 could result inhand and other injuries for the operator, and/or injuries to otherpersons present in the vicinity.

It is also once again noted, that once blade 34 is removed from spatulabody 12, spatula body 12 may be easily and readily cleaned. All surfacesof working portion 14 are readily exposed for cleaning, includingmounting member interiors 98 a, 98 b. For example, there are no recessedpockets or small grooves that can collect and harbor food debris. Thus,spatula 10 may be easily and readily thoroughly cleaned, and the designof spatula 10 can comply with requirements for NSF certification.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferredembodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it isto be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes,modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications andrearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A blade for a spatula comprising: a frontsection of the blade, the front section having a top surface and abottom surface, the front section also including a sharp front edge fordirecting an item onto the top surface of the front section; a rearsection of the blade including a replacement leading end and at least afirst insertable spring tab, the spring tab including a first side and asecond side, each of said sides having an outer surface opposed to theother outer surface, the spring tab being flexible and movable from anunmounted at rest position wherein the blade is separate from thespatula to a mounted position, and when the spring tab is in theunmounted at rest position the second side has a bowed profile shape,the first side has a bowed profile shape and the surface of the firstside is concave; a lug located on the outer surface of the second side,wherein when the spring tab is in the unmounted at rest position the lugprotrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the second side having thebowed profile shape; and the surface of the first side that is concavewhen the spring tab is in the unmounted at rest position and the bowedprofile shape for the first side of the spring tab being compressible toa compressed profile for the spring tab to thereby move the spring tabfrom the unmounted at rest position to the mounted position, the lugmoving in a first direction when moving the spring tab from theunmounted at rest position to the mounted position, wherein when thespring tab is in the compressed profile of the mounted position for thespring tab, the spring tab provides a biasing force that biases the lugin a second direction that is generally opposite to the first directionfor thereby maintaining the mounted blade secured to the spatula.
 2. Theblade according to claim 1 wherein when the spring tab is in theunmounted at rest position, the second side has a bowed profile shapegenerally following the bowed profile shape of the opposite first sideand when the spring tab is in the unmounted at rest position the outersurface of the second side is bowed and the lug protrudes outwardly fromthe bowed second surface.
 3. The blade according to claim 2 wherein thelug protrudes from the bowed second surface when the spring tab is inthe unmounted at rest position, and when the spring tab is moved to themounted position, the second surface of the spring tab is substantiallyflat and the lug protrudes outwardly from the substantially flat secondsurface while the lug continues to be biased in the second direction. 4.The blade according to claim 2 wherein the blade comprises anintermediate section and a step, the step connecting the intermediatesection with the front section, the intermediate section having a topsurface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the intermediatesection spaced downward of the top surface of the front section, the topsurface of the front section lying along a first plane and theintermediate section lying along a second plane, the first planegenerally parallel to the second plane; the first spring tab extendingrearwardly from the intermediate section, the second surface of thespring tab normally having a bowed shape when the spring tab is in theunmounted at rest position and the lug protrudes outwardly from the bowshaped second surface, the concave first surface and the bow shapedsecond surface of the first spring tab extending substantially along theentire extent of the first spring tab to provide a generally bow shapedfirst spring tab when in the unmounted at rest position, and the tabbeing generally rectangular shaped with a replacement leading end thatincludes a chamfer; a second spring tab having a second replacementleading end, the second replacement leading end being larger than thereplacement leading end of the first tab; and, a hole through the frontsection of the blade for securing the blade during insertion or removalof the blade.
 5. A blade for removably securing to a spatula comprising:a front section having a top surface and a bottom surface, the frontsection also including a sharp front edge for directing an item onto thetop surface of the front section; at least a first spring tab flexibleto allow movement of the spring tab from a first unmounted position forthe spring tab when the blade is unmounted to a second mounted positionfor the spring tab occurring when the blade has been mounted to thespatula, the spring tab extending rearwardly of the front section, thespring tab having a first surface, a second surface opposite the firstsurface and a replacement leading end; a bend in the first surface ofthe spring tab for providing the first surface with a concave profilewhen the spring tab is in the first position, the spring tab moveablefrom the first position to the second position by compressing the firstsurface having the concave profile, the movement of the spring tab fromthe first position to the second position providing a biasing force bythe spring tab; and the spring tab including a lug, the lug protrudingoutwardly from the second surface of the spring tab opposite the firstsurface of the spring tab, the bend being positioned adjacent the lug,whereby when the spring tab is moved from the first position to thesecond position the biasing force that is created continues to bias thelug in a direction outwardly from the second surface of the spring tabfor thereby maintaining the biasing force on the lug to thereby maintainthe blade secured to the spatula.
 6. The blade according to claim 5wherein when the spring tab is in the first position, the first surfacehas a concave profile and the second surface has a bowed shape and thelug extends outwardly from the bow shaped second surface, and when thespring tab has been flexibly moved to the second position, the firstsurface and second surface are substantially flat and the lug extendsoutwardly from the substantially flat second surface.
 7. The bladeaccording to claim 5 wherein the blade also has an intermediate sectionand a step, the step connecting the intermediate section with the frontsection, the intermediate section having a top surface and a bottomsurface, the top surface of the intermediate section spaced downward ofthe top surface of the front section, the top surface of the frontsection lying along a first plane and the intermediate section lyingalong a second plane, the first plane generally parallel to the secondplane; the first spring tab extending rearwardly from the intermediatesection, and the first spring tab being generally rectangular shapedwith a replacement leading end that includes a chamfer, when the springtab is in the first position the concave first surface of the firstspring tab extends substantially from the intermediate section to thechamfer and the second surface is generally bow shaped to provide agenerally bow shaped first spring tab with the lug protruding from thebow shaped second surface of the bow shaped first spring tab; the bladeincludes a second spring tab having a second replacement leading end,the second replacement leading end being larger than the replacementleading end of the first spring tab; and, a hole through the frontsection of the blade for securing the blade during insertion or removalof the blade.